Martin Gustafsson

Christopher Wegweiser

Bill Mollison & David Holmgren

The givens

Climate change

Unsure economic future

Resource management

Social inequalities

Agricultural unsustainability

Permaculture

Creating synergies with local ecology

Integrated landscape management

Ecologically complex, technologically simple

Creative and positive response

Polycultures

Constantly evolving

Permaculture Ethics

Earth Care

People Care

Fair Share/Equal

Distribution of Surplus

(Some) Permaculture Design Principles

Observe

Connect

Each element performs multiple functions

Each important function is supported by many

elements

Efficient energy planning

Catch and store energy and materials

Use small-scale intensive systems

Use biological and renewable

resources/diversity

The problem is the solution

Observe

Connect

Create synergies

Increase number of beneficial

connections → stability

Match output & input of different

elements → No waste.

Each element performs multiple

functions

•Each element should perform at least 3 functions •Stacking functions •More multifunctional = more productive

Bill Mollison – Introduction to Permaculture (1991)

deepgreenpermaculture.com

Bill Mollison – Introduction to Permaculture (1991)

Each important function is

supported by many elements

Identification

Analysis

No single point of failure = redundancy +

resilience

Apple tree niche analysis

Efficient energy planning

Sector analysis

Zone planning

Slope

Sector Analysis

• Sun sector • Flows of sun, light, rain, water flow, wind, noise and potential fire as they enter and move through the site

makingsenseofthings.info

Zone planning

bayfm.com.au

permacultureglobal.com

http://homebiome.com/

Catch and store energy and

materials

Efficient use of available resources

Identify, collect and hold useful flows.

Nutrients, materials, sun, wind, water,

knowledge, money

Catch, store and use at highest possible

potential

Slope •Site in profile •Downhill flow of resources/energy

Patrick Whitefield: Earth Care Manual (2004)

Using slope – raised

vegetable beds on contour

geofflawton.com

Small-scale intensive systems

”Small steps make small mistakes”

Start small, from nucleus and build on

success

“Systems should be designed to perform

functions at the smallest scale that is

practical and energy efficient for that

function”

Use biological and renewable

resources/diversity

Biological resources build up over time,

assist yield and interact with other

elements.

Diversity – healthy, productive and

sustainable ecosystem.

The problem is the solution

Turn constraints into opportunities

Mistakes are tools for learning

Identify areas for change